I have been doing family research on all sides of my family since 1991. I have found Grandfathers that go back to serving in the French and Indian War and the Amercian Revolution. My true love in Amercian history has always been the Amercian Civil War. While in high school I would sit and talk to my Great Grandmother, Anna Ione (Chapman) Alexander about my family from Tennessee during the war. She was born near the end of the 19th Century, 1896 in Gibson County, Tennessee. She was very patient with me and gave me a very useful verbal history for researching, I think she enjoyed telling the stories as much as I enjoyed listening to them. This soon grew to my fathers side of the family, as I started asking my Grandfather, Raymond Busenbark about his family history. I started a site on the 40th Indiana Infantry because of the local men that served from the town I grew up in. I was soon wanting to share my family history for others who are researching the same families. I am also proud of all lines in the family that served during those four years.
My Union ancestry is much longer than my Confederate ancestry. The simple truth is that census records in the south did not seem as complete, and some of those lines are just lost; not enough information to go back on. On the other hand my Union line is quite long, the records seemed easy to research. The history survived better in the north, than the re-construction period south. As I said I am proud of all lines, and I still dig as much as I can in the Tennessee records hoping for some breakthroughs. All people I list are either great grandfathers, great uncles or 1st cousins. Believe me, I have learned soo much about different regiments, battles, brigades and leaders than I ever would have just reading a book for pleasure.
I have also listed some of my wife’s (Lisa) Civil War ancestors. I have not dug as deep there, but am working on it. I know this is information that my three sons will want to know when they are older. They seem to have questions about their Civil War ancestors already. I wonder if it is because of dad? I hope that this site will continue to grow and that some people will get some enjoyment from it.
Scott R. Busenbark
Hi Scott, just found your blogs recently; Your William David Lee was a brother to my gggrandfather Green Taylor Lee. Until I found your posting, I did not know what area he was buried in or when he died. Do you know which cemetery? PS, I am descended from Green’s daughter Eliza Lee who married JF Wilson. Enjoyed blogs immensely. Hope to hear from you soon; BK
Scott:
Nice blog. You have done even more research than I thought. You have really done a nice job tracing your family roots. So, you had not one, but two relatives at Rich Mountain with the 10th Indiana?
Keep up the good work!
Hi Scott
We seem to have a mutual relative – Sarah J Busenbark. My great Grandmother was Emma Crain Crane Holmes from Hillsboro Indiana. I am trying to obtain a copy of Zephaniah Crain’s Pension File from the Civil War to confirm age ,etc.
Hello, nice blog! Hosea Fitzwater is my great great grand uncle. How are you related?
Dear Scott I am starting out on the first lag of the journey in search of my ancestors and since I have more information on my mother’s side my first baby steps start here. My great grandmother’s name was Sarah Katherine Lee(maiden name). I have the same picture of David Lee that you do but you provided much more detailed information. Can you give me some hints on how to proceed with my search as I want to go back as far as before the ancestors came to the USA. So, I guess we are relatives. Thank you for the wonderful information.
Barbara Holbrook